Business – BGR

You couldn’t even pay me to fly United or American Airlines right now, and here’s why

July 11th, 2020

American Airlines and United Airlines have resumed selling potentially packed flights, now that they’ve reversed their temporary coronavirus-inspired policy of blocking middle seats. New research argues that reversal roughly doubles your chance of contracting the coronavirus on one of these now-full flights, compared to your chances of contracting the virus on a flight where middle …

Business

The cable industry keeps finding new ways to bleed its customers dry

July 10th, 2020

Andy Meek

The ongoing saga of the cable vs streaming tug-of-war (which has had mostly the streaming side winning for more than a year now, as the cable industry keeps bleeding subscribers) continues to garner new headlines that are, sadly, pretty predictable at this point. Spectrum, for example, is among the many cable brands that have greeted …

Business

People’s lunacy around face masks is hurting restaurants and small businesses

July 6th, 2020

Andy Meek

Restaurants around the country are reporting a sad trend at the moment — the necessity of closing down their businesses, at least temporarily, as a result of an angry backlash from customers opposed to face mask requirements that are meant to keep people safe during the coronavirus pandemic. They include Hugo’s Tacos in Los Angeles, …

Business

CDC provides another excuse to avoid American Airlines like the plague

June 30th, 2020

Andy Meek

American Airlines began implementing a significant policy change on Wednesday — the resumption of selling full plane flights, irrespective of the growth in coronavirus cases around the US. CDC director Robert Redfield expressed “substantial disappointment” with American Airlines for this. This comes as coronavirus cases are demonstrating a worrisome rise around the US. Even though …

Business

Restaurants perfectly illustrate why the US response to coronavirus has been so bad

June 25th, 2020

Andy Meek

Now that we’re fully in the coronavirus reopening phase of the pandemic, one thing we’re starting to see more of is restaurants having to close again following a spike in cases around them. It’s partly the nature of the business, bringing crowds of people together to eat a meal and to sit for an extended …

Business

One of the world’s top camera brands is giving up since nobody buys cameras anymore

June 25th, 2020

Andy Meek

When’s the last time you bought a standalone camera? The folks behind the Olympus camera brand know it’s probably been a long time — which is why they’re in the process of getting out of that business altogether. The company beyond the Olympus brand announced this week they’re selling off their struggling camera business, which …

Business

As tempting as it is, don’t buy in bulk at the grocery store right now

June 24th, 2020

Andy Meek

A trip to the grocery store is one of the many ordinary facets of daily life that have been completely turned inside-out as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. One of the worst behaviors you can practice now is bulk-buying items on your next trip to the grocery store. On balance, you’re not better off …

Business

This incredible service will help you get the refunds you need during coronavirus

June 23rd, 2020

Andy Meek

DoNotPay is a consumer services platform that’s been around since 2015 and has evolved especially during the coronavirus pandemic into a service that helps consumers on several fronts. Billed as “the world’s first robot lawyer,” this service can help you do everything from check a refund status to cancel subscriptions and make arrangements paying bills. …

Business

Apple is re-closing stores in states where coronavirus cases are spiking

June 19th, 2020

Jacob Siegal

Apple had begun to reopen its stores in the US, but as coronavirus infections begin to spike around the country, Apple is re-closing some of its retail stores in four states. Apple will close 11 stores in Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, and South Carolina this week. Apple says that it is taking this step out …

Business

Flying during the coronavirus pandemic just got a little worse

June 17th, 2020

Andy Meek

The coronavirus’ US impact has been especially rough on companies in the travel industry, with airlines facing devastating losses and the need to woo customers back while also implementing dramatic safety measures. One of those coronavirus-related changes is the elimination of in-flight drink service by many carriers. The idea here is to eliminate one more …